From Spain´s third tier to a Madrid playoff derby versus Cisneros , Liceo Frances´ ascent up the leagues and journey has almost been as long as the one explosive Adriano Talemaisuva has been on. Since joining the club from Cáceres in 2023, the Fijian has seen the transformation of the club in its junior development.
“In Liceo Frances we have a good academy and the kids coming through are playing for Liceo in the first team. There´s only three to four of us from outside.” And the pride at what Liceo have accomplished and the opportunity is clear from Adriano “To go from DHB , to Elite and then División de Honor in just three seasons, it´s like living the dream man.”
“I think the level we (Spain) have is Tier 1 ” – Adriano Talemaisuva
But it wasn´t just off the field Adriano was making the change “When I got to Spain, I´d never played 15´s my whole life. Everything was 7´s. ” explains Adriano “So where do I have to go ? What do I have to do? I just learnt from the boys and now the kids are asking me.”
Fiji and Spain recently have had plenty of great games over the last few years, with Spain´s heartbreaking loss in Malaga last autumn being the most recent. So where does Adriano think Spain are now as a Rugby nation? “I think it´s like Tier 1 because we can see them play and how they are doing things.”
At the bottom end of the table, Santboiana saved themself with a last round victory at home against already relegated Barcelona to maintain a Catalan presence in the league but condemn Sevilla´s Ciencias to relegation.
📝 LA CRÒNICA | El degà aconsegueix la permanència empès per un Baldiri Aleu històric.
🏉 U.E. Santboiana 25 – 17 Barça Rugby
📸 @JordiE64 #FerroSantBoi pic.twitter.com/gtv4ublApQ
— U.E. Santboiana (@UESantboiana) April 20, 2026
Las Leonas Triumph and seventh heaven in Hong Kong
On the international stage, Spain contiue to show their growth and continue demonstrating their strength that on the Women´s level leaves them with no rivals. Wrapping up their historic ninth Women´s REC with a convincing victory over Holland, who themselves had brushed aside Portugal and Belgium in previous weeks, the Las Leonas continue to demonstrate the farce of a Women´s Six Nations tournament lockout whilst Wales continue to only hold their place not on merit but thanks to being protected by their Male counterparts.
At the Hong Kong Sevens, the first of three rounds of the SVNS World Championship in which both Male and Female Spanish 7´s teams are playing, positive results were again the order of the day. The Women, earning their place from SVNS2 qualification, finished eighth and putting themselves on course to participate in the SVNS circuit proper next season.
However it was the men with a victory over New Zealand to finish 3rd and put themselves in with a real chance of overall victory that stole the show. Both Great Britain teams finished in the relegation places with the home nations exile from SVNS set to be complete at SVNS Valladolid on 29-31st May.
For now, attention turns in Spanish Rugby to a double header Copa Del Rey Cup Final in Leganés on 2nd May before play-off season begins.
The featured image is the exclusive property of Nacho Hernandez and you will be contributing to the El Central beer fund via legal action if you pinch it.
The full interview with Adriano Talemaisuva can be heard below from 17:30
